Speaker suggests media persons to report quality debates not ruckus in LA

Srinagar, Oct 17: Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (LA), Abdul Raheem Rather, on Friday asked the media persons to prefer coverage of serious debates and discussions of the house rather than giving publicity to the members creating ruckus.

During an interaction with the journalists of different news organisations at the Assembly Secretariat, the Speaker said the role of the media during the assembly proceedings remains delicate as well as difficult.

The interaction was conducted in view of the upcoming assembly session.

“You have to ensure that there should not be even a small mistake in whatever you report from the house. Otherwise, parliamentary privileges get initiated,” Rather said.

He said media persons should remain doubly cautious while reporting proceedings of the house.

The Speaker said that media persons should prefer giving coverage to quality debates and discussions of the members of the house rather than those who create ruckus by jumping in the well of the house and creating noise scenes.

“If members who raise genuine questions are given proper coverage, then the quality of the debate and discussions in the house improves,” he said.

Rather said that besides the J&K Assembly, a new trend had been set across the country that the members of the house, who break the microphone, make fun of others, jump inside the well of the house, and abuse others, get media coverage.

“That is why we are witnessing deterioration in the parliamentary debates and discussions. We do not look at the quality of the speeches. So, the media plays an important role in making the debates and discussions of the House purposeful,” he said.

The Speaker said that if the press recognises the quality, then members would change their behaviour and prefer to deliver quality speeches in the house.

He said that during the proceedings of the house, if any member is stopped or barred, as per the law, from saying anything, the media should not report the speech of such members.

“During the last session, one or two members discussed their bills or resolutions with the media before tabling them in the assembly,” Rather said.

He said that, as per the assembly rules, it was clearly mentioned that as long as any resolution, bill, or question was not tabled in the house, it could not be discussed.

“Once any question, any bill, or a resolution is tabled in the house, then only can it be discussed, not before that, as it amounts to a violation of the set rules. It can also invite action against those members who discuss the resolutions or bills before they are tabled in the house,” the Speaker said.

He said that action could be taken against the press if they report these resolutions or bills because all the motions, resolutions, or bills given by the members are subject to approval by the Speaker.

“Until the Speaker approves the question or admits the resolution, or any bill, it cannot come to the house. So, if any member says he is bringing any resolution or bills, it means he has taken the decision of the Speaker,” Rather said.

He said bills and resolutions would come to the house only after the Speaker announces.

“You need to be aware that it is prohibited for a member to announce that he will bring a resolution in the house. Even the media cannot write about it,” the Speaker said.

He said any unethical language or words used by the members and expunged by the Speaker should not get media coverage as well.

“If the Speaker announces that this should not be reported, then it should not get covered in the press,” the Speaker said.

The meeting was attended by Director Information Nitish Rajora, Secretary JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandit, SSP Security Civil Secretariat Sajjad K Bhat, Joint Director Information, Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari, Deputy Director Information (PR) Javid Ahmad Rather, Assistant Director Doordarshan, veteran journalists, bureau chiefs, senior journalists, correspondents, and representatives of All India Radio and other concerned officers.

During the interaction, the Speaker emphasised ensuring hassle-free entry of media persons to the Legislative Assembly premises and as well as their facilitation for smooth coverage of the session.

“Media plays an important role in upholding transparency and fostering informed public discourse on legislative proceedings. Media also acts as a vital bridge between the people and the legislature,” he said.

Rather instructed the Assembly Secretariat officers to prepare and issue entry passes for journalists in coordination with the Information Department well in advance for their smooth entry into the assembly complex.

To enhance media accessibility, the Speaker directed the Information Department to install a sufficient number of microphones and Public Address Systems (PAS) within the Assembly Hall and its lawns to facilitate smooth interaction between dignitaries, ministers, MLAs, and journalists.

He also directed the Hospitality and Protocol Department to install tents with a dais for press briefings by the MLAs and ministers.

SSP Security, Civil Secretariat, was also directed to make appropriate parking arrangements for media persons near the Assembly Secretariat.